The Road to Political Independence

Overview - Below are the likely reading assignments and essay questions for the first unit of our year together.  The unit test will be a combination of short answer questions (at least a paragraph long) and multiple choice questions regarding key terms and events.  Test will be worth 60 points.

Reading Assignments for this Unit - Below are the likeley reading requirements from the textbook, more readings will assigned in the form of handouts as we progress through the unit.  Please take notes on all assigned readings and expect regular note checks and pop quizzes on the readings.

Read 65-69 - Life in the Colonies

Read 72-76 - Slavery in the Colonies

Read 59-63 - British Colonial Policy

Read 85-88 - French and Indian War

Read 94-96 - Further Causes of the Revolution

Read 98-101 - Writing the Declaration of Independence

Read 110-114 - The Revolution

Unit Essay Questions – Please choose one of these questions on which to write approximately a 2 page paper (at least 500-600 words).  A limited amount of outside research is expected to add to knowledge gained through classwork and textbook readings. Essay must be submitted to turnitin.com by 11:59pm the day before the test.  Paper should be typed and submitted with standard 12 font, 1 inch margins in Times New Roman font.  Bibliography must be provided in MLA format and all quotes must have appropriate citations.  Paper will be worth 40 points.

1. What was the cause of the French and Indian War? What issues came up through this War and why did these issues upset the colonists so much?  What were the effects of this war (both short and long term)?

2. Why did the Americans win the Revolution? Where and from whom did they receive help? Why did we get help from these places?

3. What similarities and differences are there between the 13 colonies?  In what ways could these colonies be grouped or categorized?  Based on these categories what other events do these similarities and differences seem to influence?

4. The Declaration of Independence in the second paragraph speaks of the big goals and ideas on which this country was founded. What are three of these ideas? Do you believe we have fully achieved these ideas or goals?